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August 22, 2020 - Tropical Depression Fourteen (Tropical Storm Marco)
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Tropical Depression Fourteen was moving north-northwest over the Caribbean Sea on August 2020 when NASA’s Terra satellite passed overhead. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board that satellite acquired a true-color image of the strengthening system as it approached Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula on that same day.
By 11:00 p.m. EDT (0300 UTC) on August 21, the system had picked up enough strength to be dubbed Tropical Storm Marco. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Marco was located about 180 mi (290 km) southeast of Cozumel, Mexico and carried maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h). It was traveling north-northwest at 13 mph (20 km/h).
Tropical Storm Marco is expected to strike the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on Saturday August 22 and cross the northeastern part of the Peninsula on Saturday night. It is expected to emerge over the Gulf of Mexico by Sunday and track over the Gulf of Mexico towards the United States. While the environmental conditions are currently favorable for strengthening, models give a range of just how much can be expected. The NHC notes “Additional strengthening in forecast during the next couple of days as the system approaches the Yucatan Peninsula and Marco could be near hurricane strength when it moves over the Central Gulf on Sunday”. It is then expected to weaken slightly before interacting with the Texas or Louisiana Gulf Coast.
Part of the reason for uncertainty in the forecast is the presence of Tropical Storm Laura, which also is likely to move into the Gulf of Mexico near the same time as Tropical Storm Marco. The details of the interaction between the two storms and the subtropical ridge over the Gulf of Mexico are complex and may change over the next day or two. The NHC reminds us that “Given the high uncertainty in the forecast, larger than normal changes could be required to future advisories”.
As of 11:00 p.m. (0300 UTC) on August 21, a Hurricane Watch is in effect for Punta Herrero to Cancun, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Punta Herrero to Dzilam, Mexico. A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area within 24 hours.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Terra
Date Acquired: 8/20/2020
Resolutions:
1km (819.9 KB), 500m (2.6 MB), 250m (5.4 MB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
Tropical Depression Fourteen was moving north-northwest over the Caribbean Sea on August 2020 when NASA’s Terra satellite passed overhead. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board that satellite acquired a true-color image of the strengthening system as it approached Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula on that same day.
By 11:00 p.m. EDT (0300 UTC) on August 21, the system had picked up enough strength to be dubbed Tropical Storm Marco. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Marco was located about 180 mi (290 km) southeast of Cozumel, Mexico and carried maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h). It was traveling north-northwest at 13 mph (20 km/h).
Tropical Storm Marco is expected to strike the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on Saturday August 22 and cross the northeastern part of the Peninsula on Saturday night. It is expected to emerge over the Gulf of Mexico by Sunday and track over the Gulf of Mexico towards the United States. While the environmental conditions are currently favorable for strengthening, models give a range of just how much can be expected. The NHC notes “Additional strengthening in forecast during the next couple of days as the system approaches the Yucatan Peninsula and Marco could be near hurricane strength when it moves over the Central Gulf on Sunday”. It is then expected to weaken slightly before interacting with the Texas or Louisiana Gulf Coast.
Part of the reason for uncertainty in the forecast is the presence of Tropical Storm Laura, which also is likely to move into the Gulf of Mexico near the same time as Tropical Storm Marco. The details of the interaction between the two storms and the subtropical ridge over the Gulf of Mexico are complex and may change over the next day or two. The NHC reminds us that “Given the high uncertainty in the forecast, larger than normal changes could be required to future advisories”.
As of 11:00 p.m. (0300 UTC) on August 21, a Hurricane Watch is in effect for Punta Herrero to Cancun, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Punta Herrero to Dzilam, Mexico. A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area within 24 hours.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Terra
Date Acquired: 8/20/2020
Resolutions:
1km (819.9 KB), 500m (2.6 MB), 250m (5.4 MB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
